The use of music to decrease agitated behaviour of the demented elderly: the state of the science

This paper reviews the state of the science of interventions using music to decrease the agitated behaviour of the demented elderly person. Seven research articles were located through computerized databases. The review of the literature suggested that music therapy is a useful intervention to help patients deal with a range of behaviour problems. However, overall weakness and limitations of studies are considerable. More rigorous research designs are required to evaluate the immediate and sustained physiological, psychological and sociological effects of music therapy on agitation behaviours of demented elderly. Some recommendations for future research are provided.